ORIGIN

Unlikely Vintage Racer: 1962 Renault Caravelle

10/15/2009 Update: Almost exactly one year later, this Renault is now available here on Craigslist in Santa Barbara, California for $4000. Thanks to BaT reader Bryce G. for this update!

10/19/2008 Update: This Renault sold in a 2nd auction for $4845 with 8 bidders.

9/22/2008 Update: This Renault did not meet reserve at $3150 with 10 bidders. The $5950 Buy-It-Now option was not selected.

From 9/17/2008:

So that Alpine A110 was a little too pricey, but you still have your heard set on a french 4-cylinder hung out behind the rear axle? Well maybe this 1962 Caravelle VARA race car is for you. Find it here on eBay in La Habra, California.

We really like the look from the rear, with an interesting color scheme and a tasteful taillight design. At this point the car is so modified that we would consider chopping down the windscreen and deleting the forward rollcage hood to make for a cleaner aesthetic.

We’re not sure if there are any early-60’s 3-lug performance wheels, but we’d like to see something swapped in for these steelies. The interior features a custom gauge layout, single racing seat, and metal coolant tubes running along the passenger floor to the forward radiator.

The engine is a big valve 908 with a single 42 DCOE Weber carburetor. It has an remote oil cooler and drinks from a fuel cell mounted up front.

We’re not sure how long it would take to master the handling of this Caravelle, but we’d love to see it attempted. This car will sell cheap and would be a conversation piece at the track, especially if some of the details were improved and the stance dialed in. It is quirky but we applaud the creativity and think it has good potential.